Whistle-blowing in the Workplace
While many employees take pride in the work that they perform for their employer and often feel a sense of loyalty to the company they work for, it is not uncommon for employees to witness unethical or illegal actions in the workplace. In some cases, people may not know where to turn if they witness an illegal action while in others, people choose not to tell anyone about what they know. Employees who choose to alert authorities or regulatory agencies about illegal practices in the workplace are often referred to as “whistle-blowers”.
Government regulators and law enforcement officials work hard to investigate and stop illegal activity on the part of businesses and corporations, but the sheer number of companies to keep an eye on makes it difficult for them to discover wrongdoing without assistance from persons within the corporation. Although the employee may be hesitant to discuss activities he or she has witnessed or uncovered, it is important to consider that exposing unlawful practices may help prevent harm to others. The San Antonio employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP are happy to bring you the following information on whistle-blowing and laws against retaliation in the workplace.
What is Whistle-blowing?
Employees who are aware of illegal business practices, harmful actions, or unethical policies may be able to effect change in the corporate culture by notifying others of the problem. Whistle-blowing may include:
- Documenting illegal or unethical activity in the workplace
- Notifying a supervisor, human resources professional, or compliance officer
- Notifying authorities including law enforcement, regulatory agencies, or government agencies
- Testifying in a court case
- Notifying the media of illegal or harmful activities
Whistle-blowers can come from any industry and cases have included individuals who have helped uncover wrongdoing in the food service industry, finance, health and pharmaceuticals, tobacco-sales, government, corporate-accountability, and many others. If you have witnessed illegal actions in the workplace, you may wish to consult an experienced San Antonio employment lawyer from Melton & Kumler, LLP today.
Whistle-blower Laws
In order to protect persons who have valuable information about corporate wrongdoing, federal and state governments have passed legislation making it illegal to fire, punish, or sue whistle-blowers for speaking out. Examples of such legislation include:
- The Whistle-blower Protection Act of 1989
- False Claims Act
- Civil Service Reforms Act
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The laws that are in effect make sure that private individuals may sue government contractors, government employees are free to report misconduct without retaliation, and allow whistle-blowers to disclose activities they have witnessed at work. In addition, there are protections in place that allow employees to refuse to participate in illegal activities without fear of retaliation.
Retaliation in the Workplace
People who have witnessed illegal practices in the workplace may be hesitant to come forward out of fear of retaliation on the part of their supervisors and co-workers. Individuals may fear that they will lose their jobs, fail to advance in the company, and be shunned by others in the office. Fortunately, companies that punish workers for pointing out unethical practices may be subject to fines, sanctions, and other punishment.
If you or someone you love feels that you have been retaliated against for exposing unlawful practices or refusing to participate in unethical activities in the workplace, it is wise to consult a San Antonio employment lawyer to discuss your legal options.
It is important for employees to feel comfortable revealing questionable company practices without fear of retaliation for their efforts. Persons who are fired for disclosing important information about illegal practices or are retaliated against for their actions may be eligible to pursue legal action against the company. For more information, contact the San Antonio employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP at 800-681-6932.